US warship ‘destroys’ Iranian drone, Trump confirms

The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) transits the Indian Ocean during well deck operations. Boxer, the flagship for the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) are in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on a western Pacific deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac/Released)

President Trump confirmed that the USS Boxer “destroyed” an Iranian drone today in the Strait of Hormuz.

“The Boxer took defensive action against an Iranian drone which had closed into a very near distance, approximately 1,000 yards, ignoring multiple calls to stand down and was threatening the safety of the ship and ship’s crew,” Trump said while speaking at a White House flag presentation ceremony with Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

BREAKING: US has “destroyed” an Iranian drone in Strait of Hormuz, President Trump says; asserts that the drone ignored warnings from USS Boxer to stand down as it neared the ship. pic.twitter.com/oQh9ZuhCju

“This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions by Iran vessels operating in international waters,” Trump continued.

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“The United States reserves the right to defend our personnel, our facilities and interests, and calls upon all nations to condemn Iran’s attempts to disrupt freedom of navigation and global commerce,” Trump said.

“I also call on other nations to protect their ships as they go through the Strait [of Hormuz] and to work with us in the future,” he concluded.